Deflecting pilot structure



April 8, 1930.

, w. LENTZ DEFLEGTING .RIhOT STRUCTURE Filed 112.22 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Patented Apr. 8, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE",

WILLIAM L. LENTZ, OF TUCKAHOE, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS,

TO GENERAL STEEL CASTINCS CORPORATION, GRANITE CITY, ILLINOIS, A COR- PORATION OF DELAWARE DEFLECTING PILOT STRUCTURE Application filed August 22, 1927. Serial No. 214,600.

My invention relates to railway rolling Stock and consists in an improved pilot beam and coupler arrangement particularly adapted for use on freight or passenger locomotives at the front end of the locomotive.

The main object of my invention is to provide a pivoted coupler which may be moved to and from a functioning position and securely held in either position and which can be operated readily by one man.

I also desire to provide a pilot upon which the coupler is mounted which is adapted to receive the head of the coupler and its shank when the same is lowered from a functioning position so that the coupler does not project beyond the pilot to a position where it would impale an object onthe track and preferably where it forms an impact resisting portion of the pilot.

Another object of my invention is to provide a coupler device which may pivotvertically as mentioned and also may pivot horizontally.

Another object of my invention is to provide for vertical adjustment of the pilot on the pilot beam without undesirably aifecting the positioning of the coupler device When in raised functioning position.

Another object of my invention isto provide means for preventing the nose of the pilot from digging into the road bed if the pilot is depressed from its normal position.

Another object of my invention is to provide an improved pilot beam and uncoupling device for the swinging coupler arrangement referred to.

These and other detailed objects of my invention which will be referred to in the specification are accomplished in the selected embodiment of my invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a side elevation of the pilot, pilot beam, and coupler device with thelatter in raised functioning position.

Figure 2 is a longitudinal vertical section through the same parts, with the coupler device shown in elevation, and with the coupler in depressed non-functioning position.

Figure 3' is a top view of the same structure with a portion sectioned to more clearly 1llustrate the details of the assembly.

Figure 4 is a front elevation of the pilot and pilot beam, the coupler being omitted.

Figure 5 is a front elevation of the pilot beam With the pilot removed.

In the drawings, the front end of the 1000- 4 and immediately beneath opening 2 is a cross tie 5. The beam is provided with detachable brackets 125 for supporting the sides of the pilot.

The pilot 4 is adjustably mounted upon the pilot beam 1 by means of bolts 6 passing through slotted openings 7 in the pilot.

The base of the pilot is of the usual triangular form, and the sides of the pilot slope upwardly and inwardly in the usual manner. Near the intersection of these converging sides, they are partially cut away to provide an opening in front of the pilot beam opening 2 and to provide a recess below such opening adapted to receive the coupler shank 9 When the latter is in the position shown in Figure 2, in which position the coupler head 10 forms the ridge or backbone of the pilot similar to the ridge formed by the intersection of the front walls 'of the ordinary pilot structure. When so depressed, the shank coupler does not extend forwardly of the pilot to form an elevated projection of restricted area which is likely to impale and unnecessarily damage an object on the track, as is possible with the ordinary pilot coupler.

At each side of the coupler shank the pilot is provided with flanges 8 in which are bearings 13 for pin 11 which passes through a slot 12 extending transversely through the coupler shank 9.

The portion of the coupler shank which extends rearwardly of pin 11 passes through the opening in the pilot and the corresponding opening 2 provided in the pilot beam 1 and terminates in a hollow portion 14 adapted to be filled with lead or other material for increasing the weight of this portion. This rear extension on the coupler shank forms a counterbalance for the coupler head and makes it possible for a single workman to readily shift the coupler from the depressed position shown in Figure 2 to the elevated position shown in Figure 1, in which the coupler may function to transmit, through pin 11, the draft and bufling forces between the locomotive and other rolling stock coupled to the front end thereof. The coupler may be held in this elevated position by a pin 15 seated in suitable bearings 16 provided in the front portion of flanges 8 and passing through an elongated slot 17 in the coupler shank 9.

Preferably the forward portion of the coupler device is a little heavier than the rear portion so that when the coupler is depressed, as shown in Figure 2, the shoulder 18 provided on the rear end of the device will engage the lower face of a suitable part of the locomotive frame such as B. By utilizing a separate element 19 for engagement by the shoulder 18 the relative position of the pilot and coupler may be maintained irrespective of variations in the vertical adjustment of the pilot on the beam. The coupler may be positively retained in its lowered position by the engagement of pin 15, with the upper face of a suitable lug 20 provided on the top face of the coupler shank 9. Adjacent to the bearing 16 in flanges 8, the pilot is provided with su tantially horizontal surfaces 21 on which pin 15 may be laid when withdrawn from the coupler shank for the purpose of permitting the shifting of the coupler.

By locating both pins 11 and 15 in the pilot, the coupler shank is maintained in horizontal position, when elevated, irrespective of any variations in the relative position of the pilot and. pilot beam.

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It will be noted that the transverse slot 12 in the coupler shank 9 is round at the center of the shank and is elongated at the sides of the shank, or in other words, flares from the center of the shank outwardly. This construction makes it possible for the shank to pivot horizontally on pin 11. Flanges 13 on the ilot diverge forwardlyand the sides 22 lripening 2 in the pilot beam diverge rearwa ly in order to accommodate such horizontal pivotal movement of the pilot.

My uncoupling device is adapted to accommodate the coupler in either position and comprises the usual uncoupling lever 24 extending longitudinally of the pilot beam and journalled in suitable brackets 25 mounted on the beam. The lever is provided with a forwardly extending operating arm 26 which is connected by a chain 27 to the locking pin 28 of the coupler. The ends of the uncoupling lever are provided with operating handles 29 which extend forwardly and downwardly and inwardly. When the coupler shank and head are in the elevated position shown in Figure 1, the uncoupling lever is held in the position indicated by the engagement of the ends of its handles 29 with a plate 30 pivoted at 31 on the front face of the pilot beam. When the coupler is to be lowered to its depressed position as shown in Figure 2, the plates 30 may be swung to the broken line position indicated in Figure 4, thereby uncovering recesses 32 (see Figure 5) in the front wall of the pilot beam which will admit the ends of the uncoupling lever handles 29 and permit the arm 26 of the latter to move to the inclined position shown in Figure 2, the handles 29 moving to the broken line position indicated in Figure 1 in which they contact with the upper ends of recesses 32. Lugs 33 on the pilot beam engage the plates 30 as shown to hold the latter in either desired position.

The front lower portion of the pilot is provided with lugs 23 immediately over the rail line and if the pilot is forced downwardly these lugs 23 will contact with and slide along the rails and tend-to su port the pilot so as to prevent the nose of the latter from being thrust into the road bed.

With my device, it is an easy matter for a trainman to shift the coupler device from functioning position to depressed position or vice versa, and in either position the device will possess all of the advantages of the ordinary structure in addition to possessing the particular advantages hereinbefore pointed out.

Preferably the pilot and pilot beam are formed of cast steel and each is made in onepiece, but it is apparent that these two parts might be formed integrally -or that elther might be made of built-up structure instead of being cast.,'

Preferably the coupler head 10, shank 9 and counterbalance portion 14 are formed in a single one-piece casting but these parts may be separately formed and assembled with each other if desired.

I contemplate the exclusive-use of these and such other modifications in the details of my invention as fall within the scope of my claims.

Attention is directed to the copending application of Einar G. Halhguist, Serial No.

pilot so as to swing from a raisedfunctioning position to a depressed position in said recess, a counterbalance for said shank to aid an operator in swinging said coupler as described, said shank having a longitudinal slot and an exterior shoulder near said slot, a removable pin seated in said pilot for extending through said slot to hold said shank in raised position or for engaging said shoulder to hold said coupler in depressed position.

2. A locomotive one-piece cast pilot having a substantially triangular base and inwardly and upwardly inclined sides, there being a deep recess in said sides at their forward intersection for receiving a vertically swinging coupler and shank member so that the latter when lowered forms a downwardly and forwardly inclined front element for said pilot, and bearings on said pilot adjacent to the upper end of said recess for mounting such a member.

3. In combination a locomotive pilot having a substantially triangular base, and inwardly and upwardly converging front sides, there being a deep recess in said sides at their intersection and a relatively heavy member pivotally mounted on said pilot and bridging the space between the upper and lower ends of said recess and forming the impact receiving backbone element of the pilot, said member being adapted to be raised to a horizontal position to form a draft transmitting element.

4. In combination, a locomotive pilot beam member, a pilot member mounted thereon, there being an opening extending through said members from back to front, a coupler device extending through said opening and consisting of two parts arranged at an angle to each other and pivoted to one of said members adjacent to the angle between the two parts.

5. In combination, a locomotive pilot beam member, a pilot member, a locomotive frame element at the rear of said pilot beam, there being an open space extending from the front of said element through said pilot, a coupler device pivoted between its ends on one of said members so as to swing in a vertical plane from a position in which it functions as a coupler to a depressed position, the rear portion of said device engaging said element when said device is in the depressed position so as to limit downward movement of the forward portion of said device.

- ,6. In combination, a locomotive pilot beam, a pilot adj ustablymounted thereon, a coupler device pivoted on said pilot to swing in a vertical plane from an elevated position in which it functions as a coupler to a depressed position, said device including a counterbalance extending rearwardly of said pilot and beam, a frame element for engaging said counterbalance to support said device in depressed position, and means for adjusting the engagement of said element and counterbalance in proportion to any adjustment in the mounting of said pilot on said beam.

7. In combination, a locomotive pilot beam provided with a central portion much deeper than its end portions and having an enclosed opening from front to back, and a pilot mounted on said beam and braced by the deep central portion of said beam. and a coupler shank pivoted to swing in said opening and in the adjacent portion of said pilot.

8. In combination, a pilot beam having an opening from front to back, a pilot mounted thereon and having an opening aligned with said beam opening, a coupler shank extending through said openings, a horizontal pin mounting said shank on said pilot, the sides of said openings diverging forwardly and rearwardly from the pin mounting to permit said shank to pivot horizontally on said pin.

9. In combination, a railway pilot having a recess, a counter-balanced coupler shank pivoted on said pilot so as to move horizontally and to swing from a raised position to a depressed position in said recess, said shank having a longitudinal slot, and a removable pin seated in said pilot and adapted to extend through said slot to holdsaid shank in raised position but permitting it to swing horizontally.

10. In combination, in a pilot structure, a coupler head and shank adapted to assume a horizontal or inclined position, an uncoupling rod including a handle pivoted on a fixed portion of the structure and including an arm rigid with said handle and extending forwardly of the structure, and means for holding said arm above said head when said shank is in horizontal position and for lowering said arm when said shank is in its inclined posit-ion.

11. In combination, a railway vehicle end beam, a coupler shank, head and pin movable to elevated and depressed positions, an uncoupling lever comprising anarm extending longitudinally of said beam and having a handle at its outer end and an operating arm at its inner end connected to said pin, and means cooperating with said handle for holding the operating arm of said lever a predetermined distance above said head in either position of the latter.

12. In combination, a railway vehicle end beam, a coupler shank, head and pin sup ported from said beam and movable to elevated and depressed positions, an uncoupling lever connected to said pin and having a handle and having an operating arm which extends over said head and is connected to said pin, said beam being provided with a recess for receiving said handle to permit said arm to follow said head to its lowered position, and an element on said beam for above said head when the latter is in elevated position. I

13. In combination, a railway vehicle end beam, a coupler shank, head and pin supported from said beam and movable to elevated and depressed positions, an uncoupling lever connected to said pin and having a handle and having an operating arm which extends over said head and elements on said N beam for engaging said handle in diflerent positions to hold said arm at different elevations.

14. In combination, a locomotive pilot beam member, a pilot member mounted there- 5 on, there being an opening extending through said members from back to front, a coupler device extending through said opening and consisting of shank and counterbalance elements pivoted to one of said members, said device being pivoted intermediate its ends for vertical and horizontal movement on its pivot and within said opening.

15. In combination, a pilot beam having an opening from front to back, a pilot mounted thereon and having an opening aligned with said beam opening, a coupler shank ex tending through said openings, a horizontal pin mounting said shank on said pilot, the sides of said openings being spaced from said shank so as to permit said shank to pivot horizontally on said pin. a

In testimony whereof I hereunto aflix my signature this sixteenth day of August, 1927.

WILLIAM L. LENTZ. 

